OSA Sample Scholarship Essays

Some of the following content has been altered to maintain

apply to American Religious Studies Ph.D.
anonymity. MSU standards for intellectual honesty apply to
programs. I want to study in Rome, home of the
scholarship application essays. Essays copied in whole or in
religious heart of Catholicism, to reexamine a
part from these samples or any other applicants work will be
rejected and may result in disciplinary action. tradition that shaped the imagination of my youth
and continues to influence my approach to religious
Essay #1 studies. I value the skills that studying in Rome
Score: 4.0 would provide for looking to international religions
for new ways of understanding religion in America.
For as long as I can remember Ive known what I
wanted to do with my life. Science has always been In graduate school I hope to study under Dr. [name
a passion of mine, and medicine in particular has withheld], who researches Catholic mysticism at
interested me for some time. Dedicating my life to [name withheld]. My experiences near the Vatican
improving the lives of others is very appealing to will persist beyond next summer to influence my
me. After Michigan State, I plan on advancing to research on American Catholicism under [name
medical school to become a physician. I believe this withheld]s mentorship.
program will offer me valuable skills that cannot be
taught in the classroom. I am seeking an undergraduate capstone experience.
Before freshman year at MSU I spent thirteen
Throughout high school and college thus far I have months as a Congress-Bundestag ambassador in the
taken a rigorous curriculum and maintained a 4.0 German cities of Flensburg and Heidelberg, which
grade point average. During high school I was included extensive travel to France, Switzerland,
involved in a physician shadowing program called Austria, and Denmark. From this rich period of
medical mentorship. In addition, I volunteered at personal growth I acquired fluency in German, an
Sparrow Hospital this fall in patient transport. I am identity as a global citizen, and the skills to
very familiar with and comfortable in clinical independently navigate life in a foreign culture. It
settings. I am responsible, focused, hard working seems appropriate to support my next leap in life
and easy to get along with. I participated in a with an abroad experience that will reveal the
Freshman Study Abroad program this summer and directions in which I have grown since my
thoroughly enjoyed it. Studying in a foreign country exchange year, as well as provide a unique context
was an experience unlike any Ive had. The classes for exploring the limits of my education before
were challenging and thought provoking. The city beginning graduate studies.
was breathtaking and I met many friends who I still
keep in touch with. Strengths that I will bring to my abroad experience
include exemplary leadership and social skills,
Although I plan on practicing medicine in the refined through my service to Circle K
United States, I believe that studying the differences International. Numerous leadership positions at its
between the British health care system and that of club, district, and international levels have trained
the United States would benefit me a great deal in me to unearth creative solutions to challenges,
the future. It would be a valuable opportunity for organize my experiences in the community for the
me to shadow a British physician, and compare that purposes of both engagement and reflection, and
experience to the clinical exposure Ive had in the socially navigate among diverse personalities and
United States. By participating in this program I power differences. These traits will allow me to
hope to eventually combine the best of both worlds succeed in diverse situations while studying abroad.
into my medical education and eventual practice. I
plan to learn valuable skills that will one day make Essay #3
me a better doctor. Score: 3.875

Essay #2 A Summer in Spain

Score: 4.0
College is a time for new and exciting experiences
My academic and professional goals are one as I as well as a time to explore diverse and innovative
 OSA Sample Scholarship Essays
ideas. What could be better than traveling to a this new and exciting opportunity.
foreign country to learn about their ideas, history,
and culture? I believe study abroad is something here is an undeniable advantage to living and
that every college student should do to help avoid studying in Spain; to be submersed in the Spanish
ethnocentrism, to expand their horizons, and to way of life is the only way to fully understand and
appreciate everything the world has to offer. learn about how the country impacts and is
impacted by the rest of the world. Not only will I
I am particularly interested in the summer program learn about Spain, but I will also come to appreciate
offered in Santander, Spain. My grandmother came other countries in the world from a different point
to the United States from Barcelona, Spain as a of view. I will be able to apply my new-found
young adult to work and go to school. I have visited knowledge to my entire life and the way I look at
family in Barcelona several times and have had the the world around me. What could be more exciting
opportunity to see some of the country on one than that?
family trip when we traveled from Barcelona down
the eastern coast to the Rock of Gibraltar.
Santander, however, is in a part of Spain that I have
yet to explore. It is one thing to see a country while
on vacation, but it is an entirely different experience
to live there for an extended period of time. I do not
think it is possible to become fluent in any language
without living in that country. Even though I have
some significant experience with the Spanish
language, I believe that studying in Santander
would deepen my understanding of not only the
language, but of the culture, the people, and their
history.

My immigrant grandmother worked as a realtor,

helping Spanish-speaking people navigate the
complex process of finding and financing their first
home in the United States. She inspired me to
consider making the Spanish language and culture
an important part of my career. I am majoring in
finance with a specialization in international
business/Spanish. Since the business college does
not offer a program in Spain, and understanding the
language and cultural aspects are crucial when
doing business in any foreign country, I believe that
this program would greatly benefit me in my career
path. I feel very strongly that I will be able to relate
my experiences in Santander to my academic and
professional goals.

Academically, it is very important to me that I

continue studying Spanish. Going to Spain gives me
the chance to learn in a native environment, and I
do not think there is any better way to internalize a
language and develop fluency. I have a very strong
love for the Spanish language, people, and culture.
A summer in Spain will allow me to bring together
all of my past experiences and combine them with